World Cup Group H Preview: Teams, fixtures, key players & odds

George Wood Updated: 1 hour ago

Group H at the 2026 World Cup will see the favourites Spain take on Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and debutants Cape Verde.

Though they should secure safe passage to the knockout stage, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia are not to be treated lightly.

Thinking back to 2022, Saudi Arabia shocked the world with a 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.

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Teams

Spain
Uruguay
Saudi Arabia
Cape Verde

Fixtures

Date	Fixture	Kick-off (BST)	Stadium
15th June	Spain v Cape Verde	17:00	Atlanta Stadium
15th June	Saudi Arabia v Uruguay	23:00	Miami Stadium
21st June	Spain v Saudi Arabia	17:00	Atlanta Stadium
21st June	Uruguay v Cape Verde	23:00	Miami Stadium
27th June	Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia	01:00	Estadio Guadalajara
27th June	Uruguay v Spain	01:00	Houston Stadium

Spain

Pre-tournament favourites and current European champions, La Roja are primed for a strong run at World Cup glory.

Having lifted the trophy once back in 2010, there is a feeling that this squad full of young and sprightful talent like Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams could replicate the achievement of their heroes 16 years ago.

Manager

Luis de la Fuenta

After making his way through the Spanish youth setup from U19 to U23, Luis de La Fuente stepped into the senior job in 2022 following Spain's disappointing World Cup in Qatar. The rest, as they say, is history.

De la Fuente guided La Roja to Euros glory in 2024 with a 2-1 victory over England in the final, utilising talent he got to know working his way up through the age pools.

Key Player

Lamine Yamal

2024 Golden Boy winner and 2025 Ballon d'Or runner up, Lamine Yamal has established himself as one of the best players in the world at the age of 18.

Fresh off the back of winning La Liga player of the season following Barcelona's triumph, Spanish fans will be hoping he can continue that form on the world stage.

Breakout player

Victor Munoz

Osasuna's Munoz was an unexpected call-up by Luis de la Fuente, though he has had somewhat of a breakout season in Spain.

Twelve goal involvements in 36 games for the Pamplona-based side, who only avoided the drop on the final day of the campaign, is a strong return.

Joining up with a Spain side who will create many more chances than his club could see him have a prolific World Cup.

Odds

To win group – 1/5
To qualify – 1/100

Spain are by far the strongest team in the group, and with three points expected to be enough to progress this year, it would be a travesty should they fail to navigate their way through Group H.

Uruguay

Uruguay have endured a tumultuous spell throughout the last three years, the highs of finishing above Brazil in qualifying and coming third in the 2024 Copa America overshadowed by a run of one win in 12 (failing to score in nine of them) and a 5-1 thrashing by the USA.

Manager

Marcelo Bielsa

Bielsa is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches of all time, and he has no doubt left his mark on this Uruguay side.

They have, at times, looked unplayable. Through the back end of 2023 they saw off Argentina and Brazil playing outstanding football, though some terrible results through 2024 and 2025 saw many calling for his sacking.

It appears he has steadied the ship with 1-1 and 0-0 draws against England and Algeria, and Uruguay come into this tournament as a bit of an unknown quantity. Who knows what El Loco has up his sleeve?

Key player

Federico Valverde

Fede Valverde arrives at the World Cup in the prime of his career, having become one of Real Madrid's key players and even captaining the side last season.

He is amongst the best in the world in the centre of midfield, though can be deployed almost anywhere on the pitch and do a stellar job, such is his talent.

Breakout player

Federico Vinas

Vinas sits behind Darwin Nunez in the pecking order, though he should see plenty of minutes due to the former Liverpool man's dip in form.

Real Oviedo's striker struck nine times last season as the club secured promotion to La Liga.

Odds

To win group – 4/1
To qualify – 1/8

Uruguay should have the quality and tactical nous to be the second best team in Group H, though they are likely to struggle to usurp the Spaniards.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia shocked the world with their 2-1 comeback win over Argentina in Qatar four years ago, and they will be looking for some more of that magic if they are to compete with Spain and Uruguay in the Americas.

It took the Green Falcons until round four of AFC qualifying to secure their berth at the World Cup, suggesting that they could struggle to improve on a record that has seen them win just twice across 15 games at the last five tournaments.

Manager

Georgios Donis

A managerial journeyman, Donis has spent the last five years bouncing around the Saudi leagues.

He was drafted in as an emergency replacement for Herve Renard, who was sacked 59 days prior to the start of the tournament.

Key player

Salem Al-Dawsari

Al-Hilal winger Salem Al-Dawsari notched two of Saudi Arabia's three goals at the 2022 World Cup, and will be tasked with leading the line once again this tournament.

He has been in strong form at club level this term too, with 20 goal involvements in 35 games across all competitions and a Saudi King's Cup victory.

Breakout player

Marwan Al-Sahafi

One of few Saudi players to make the jump into European football, Al-Sahafi has spent the last two seasons making an impression on loan at Belgian sides Beerschot and Royal Antwerp.

Odds

To win group – 20/1
To qualify – 11/10

With three points possibly being enough to qualify for the knockout stages, Saudi Arabia can be hopeful that they could progress beyond the groups for the first time since their round of 16 elimination in 1994.

Cape Verde

World Cup debutants Cape Verde were one of the standout stories of qualifying.

Their squad consists of more players born in Rotterdam than Praia (Cape Verde's capital), though it has been relatively settled for the best part of five years and are a smart defensive unit.

Manager

Bubista

Pedro Leitao Brita - commonly known as Bubista - has become a legend on the archipelago of Cape Verde.

Capped 21 times as a centre half before managing them to an AFCON quarter-finals in 2023 and then to their first ever World Cup, he has an impressive 48.44% win ratio.

Key player

Ryan Mendes

At 36, Ryan Mendes is still the beating heart of this Cape Verde side. He is the captain and all-time top scorer, and could become the nation's first ever centurion at this year's tournament.

Breakout player

Dailon Livramento

Livramento was the missing piece for Cape Verde, who had a plethora of attacking talent on the wings but no presence up top.

He agreed to play for Cape Verde just two years ago and his four goals in qualifying have already cemented his status as a national legend.

Odds

To win group – 40/1
To qualify – 13/8

Cape Verde are expected to struggle at the World Cup this year, but have shown they can mix it with some big sides having taken the scalp of Cameroon to qualify for this year's tournament.